Police say social distancing may have played role in thwarted bank heist try

Thomas Hegarty, left, and surveillance image from Thursday's attempted bank robbery incident.

DOVER - A man suspected of trying to rob a Dover bank on Thursday was thwarted when employees took steps to distance themselves from the suspect and he realized his robbery attempt was going to be unsuccessful.

Thomas Hegarty, 25, of Dover, was arrested on Wakefield Street in Rochester around 12:20 p.m. about two hours after the incident occurred at the at the Bank of America branch at 180 Washington St. Hegarty was charged with attempted robbery, a Class B felony.

When the call came in numerous Dover Police Department officers responded to the bank after employees there reported a male subject had presented a note that indicated he had a weapon and demanding money. Upon police arrival, it was unclear if the suspect was still on-scene, which required evacuation of the employees and a cautious approach by officers that resulted in a brief closure of the immediate area.

"When the suspect gave a teller a note, they took action to distance themselves from the suspect and he realized he wasn't going to be successful and left," Dover Police Lt. Brant Dolleman told The Rochester Voice today.

Soon after surveillance images of the suspect were released to the media numerous tips identified the suspect as Hegarty. In addition, the DPD's Crime Scene Unit was able to develop evidence linking Hegarty to the crime.

Detectives from DPD's Special Investigations Unit, assisted by deputies from the Strafford County Sheriff's Office and officers of the Rochester Police Department, were able to locate Hegarty on Wakefield Street in Rochester around 2:20 p.m.

He was arrested without incident. Hegarty refused bail and is being held at the Strafford County House of Correction pending an arraignment in Strafford County Superior Court today.